But it’s time for pastures new, and “Adge”, as he is widely known, is set to take his particular brand of policing to Bathwick and the villages of Batheaston, Bathford and Bathampton.

After 25 years on the beat in Bath, Adge describes his policing style as “old fashioned”.

The burly and ebullient officer carries out regular foot patrols in Twerton, where he is a governor at St Michael’s Junior School and a familiar figure in the deaf community because of his proficiency in sign language.

Adge when he became the new beat bobby for Twerton in 2008 (Image: Kevin Bates)

He has a no-nonsense approach to anti-social behaviour, which he as “really tried to tackle” by confronting offenders with the “uncomfortable truth” about its effect on others, he said.

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“And I know from speaking to those involved in criminality that they might not like me but they respect me and understand that I’m just doing my job.”

His presence in Twerton will be missed by many, as evidenced by the messages of thanks and farewell from residents and councillors he received on Twitter when he announced his impending departure this week.

Adge said he will miss “The Royal Borough of Twerton”, as he affectionately calls it, and one of the things he’ll miss most is its sense of community.

Twerton suffers from a reputation that is far removed from the reality, he said.

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“I know there are some people who are not very nice in Twerton, but there are some people who are not very nice in Lansdown as well,” he said, making the point that human nature knows no geographical boundaries.

As a young officer in May 2006

Adge’s first beat in Bath covered Lansdown and Snowhill when he first moved to the city from Bristol in 1992.

Since then, he’s done two stints in the city centre, a spell in Keynsham, and spent the years since 2008 as “the Sheriff of Twerton”.